Two fined for Leeds parkland flytipping

A landlord and his builder have been fined for allowing waste to be flytipped at a Leeds beauty spot.

Tonnes of rubbish including beds, sofas, carpets, doors, cupboards, a television and other household items appeared overnight in Temple Newsam's parkland on 19 March 2012.

When called to investigate the illegal pile of waste, council enforcement officers found paperwork relating to a property on Armley Ridge Road amongst the discarded items.

Officers following up on this lead discovered that the property mentioned was undergoing renovation. On visiting the property, building waste could be clearly seen piled in the yard.

When questioned, the property’s landlord David Scott and his builder James Cassidy admitted that the waste dumped at the council-run estate had come from their development. However, Cassidy claimed he had paid someone to take the rubbish away and that he believed they were authorised to dispose of waste.

Both pleaded guilty to offences under Section 33 (flytipping) and Section 34 (failing to control waste correctly) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Cassidy was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,338.50 costs while landlord Scott received a £500 fine and ordered to pay £1,338.50 in costs in court last week.

Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for the environment, said:

“If you are employing someone to take away your rubbish you really need to be sure that they comply with their waste responsibilities and have the right licenses in place.

“Allowing others to dump your rubbish won’t be tolerated in Leeds and where we have evidence to support it, we will always seek to prosecute.”

The costs Scott and Cassidy were ordered to pay will cover the costs of the clean up at Temple Newsam.

Any instances of flytipping can be reported to 0113 222 4406 or online at www.leeds.gov.uk.